By Tara Murray
A tie between Laurimar and Plenty was the highlight of the opening round of the Northern Region T20 competition on Tuesday night.
Plenty made 8-139 from its overs, with the Laurimar bowlers sharing the wickets around.
The game went down to the wire, with Laurimar finishing 7-139. Ashley Williams top scored with 38.
Rivergum has no issues accounting for a Mernda side containing former Australian player Clint McKay.
The Demons announced on Monday that McKay would be their guest player in the opening round of the competition.
It didn’t daunt the experienced Rivergum side which chased down the needed runs with no issue.
The Demons made 110 from its overs, with McKay top scoring with 38.
The Kookas needed less than 15 overs to chase down the runs, finishing 1-111. Matthew Perri top scored with 63 not out, while Gary Bell finished 43 not out.
McKay went for 0-22 off his two overs.
South Morang made 6-101 from its overs, with Epping reaching the target in the 18th over. Aaron Amos top scored with 38.
Bundoora also started with a win, defeating the Cobras. Bundoora made 8-120 in reply to the Cobras 8-117. Guest player Connor Rutland top scored with 36 for the Bulls and also took two wickets.
Lower Plenty were able to restrict Bundoora United to get a win. Lower Plenty made 3-137 before restricting United to 8-116. Corey Cogan made 58 at the top of the order for United.
Last season’s runner-up Lalor Stars started their T20 campaign with a win against Thomastown United.
The Stars made 6-133 from its overs, before bowling Thomastown United out for just 49. Adam Hall took 3-13 for the Stars.
Old Paradians had a good night with the bat making 5-155 against Donath. Matthew Del Mastro made 59 not out before being run out.
Donath could only make 5-114 in reply.
Northern Riders had no issues in chasing Thomastown’s total of 95. The Riders making 4-99 off 14 overs.
Diamond Valley, Research Eltham Collegians, Riverside, Lower Eltham, Rosanna, Greensborough, Banyule, Heidelberg and Holy Trinity were the other winners.
